November 29, 2010

When I was a wee lassie, Christmas was all about the presents for me. Selfish, I know. Perhaps even Grinch-like. Yes, I got gifts for others, but only to merit something from them in return.

Times have changed, and while I still enjoy receiving a thoughtful present, I also find a lot of satisfaction in picking out just the right thing to give someone else.

You've no doubt recently become familiar with Tate's Bake Shop, as they've wisely been enlisting bloggers to review their goodies and host giveaways. (That has to be one of the best marketing strategies ever.) I was lucky enough to be contacted by the company and given the chance to sample my own batch and spread the love.

The package that I received contained three types of cookies (chocolate chip, white chocolate macadamia nut, and oatmeal raisin), as well as the Tate's Bake Shop Cookbook by Kathleen King. I won't lie--I ate the cookies before I could take pictures of them, but if you're curious, you can see Emily's shots on her site. They were the polar opposite of cakey--all very crisp, yet with a nice chew and the welcome taste of caramel. Very delicious indeed.

The cookbook is full of interesting recipes, and I decided to make one in an effort to validate Tate's. I picked the GORP cookies, named using an acronym with which I was unfamiliar until Rachael Ray used it on her show. (It's true.)Good ol' raisins and peanuts. Well, I changed it up a bit, using pecans as my 'P.' The recipe is good--it turns out a delightfully chewy and flavorful batch of cookies.

So. Who'd like to win their very own cookies? One fortunate (United States) reader will win a Tate's Bake Shop cookbook and a six-box cookie sampler pack. Huzzah! To enter the giveaway, just tell me one thing you'd like to receive for Christmas. Be as selfish as you want--we're all friends here! To double your chances, become a fan of Tate's Bake Shop on Facebook, and after doing so, leave another comment telling me that you did. I'll close the comments a week from today, Monday, December 6th, and the randomly-selected winner will be announced shortly thereafter. Good luck!

Preheat oven to 350°F; grease two cookie sheets or line them with Silpat.
In a bowl, mix the flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon.
In a bigger bowl, cream the butter and sugars; beat in the egg. Add in the vanilla and water; mix together until they are just combined. Add in the flour mixture and oatmeal; mix until combined. Add in the cinnamon chips, pecans, and raisins; mix until combined.
Drop 1/4 cup dough onto baking sheets and press the cookies down lightly. Bake for 15-17 minutes; remove the cookies and cool them on a wire rack.

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comments:

I have to make my Tate's recipe this week! I'm still thoroughly undecided about what to make. It all looks so good! I ate ALMOST all of my cookies and still haven't photographed them. Maybe today will be the day! The GORP cookies sound delicious. Hmmm...I will definitely have to make them at some point.

I like a loaded cookie like the gorp, and the pecan switch sounds great! My Christmas list is always a mile long, but one item I really want is a popover pan. I don't know how I've gone so long with out one, but it's time to fix that!

There are a few things I would really love this season and one if is the promise of good health. (I have had a few issues this year). I would love a vacation too (a get away with my husband) and I would love a bedroom set (what we have was my husband's before we got married.)msgb245 at gmail dot com

For Christmas all I want is to win the lottery with enough to pay off my bills that have accured since my husband was laid off and to pack up and move to be closer to my baby sister. Family is good but my sister is the best!!

These look delicious and are going on the list to try (with the pecans of course!). I really have everything I need so just some time off to spend with family, friends and my new kitten would be the best thing.

For starters I would love this prize...but really the only thing I really want for Christmas is not for me but for everyone who has a loved one in the Military. I want this war to be done and all Military to be home for the Holidays.

Of of the much needed items on my Christmas list this year is a new recipe book for me to store all my finds and favorites in! My old one is falling apart and has pages hanging out from using it so often!

What a delicious giveaway! I would love to have a horse farm for Christmas, and I would like it to be full of adorable Clydesdale foals. Oh and the horse farm will have a great big Southern Plantation style home on the property with a large kitchen full of natural light.

For Christmas I want a ton of cookware--a full Le Creuset set, an All Clad roasting pan, a Shun rocking knife! I have $3000 of items in my fantasy Williams Sonoma cart and I can't afford any of it! Maybe the Christmas fairy will come along.

I'm with you - I love picking out just the perfect gift for someone else, and along the same lines, I'm always a wee bit disappointed in my family members who ask for a wishlist right away without even trying to think about what someone else might want. Oh well!

If I get to be selfish, I'll say this: I had not much on Hanukkah list till I just flipped through the Pier 1 holiday catalog and decided I wanted almost everything!